Here’s some of the excitement that we encountered…

For starters, we arrived at the train station two hours early, due to my brief overview of our ticket. Then, on top of that, the train was three hours late. So there’s 5 extra hours of sitting at the station. Because we were so eager to get out of that station, we managed to board the wrong train; it arrived at the same time that our delayed train was supposed to arrive, it arrived at the very same platform, and it had the same name as the one we were supposed to board, but it was going in the wrong direction. So, for about two hours (until we reached the next station) we journeyed away from our destination.

While on the wrong train, the man in charge of tickets tried to convince us that we owed him a 10,000 rupee penalty; equivalent to about $200.00. It is a “side job” for these guys to try and extort extra cash from passengers…we knew that much. Finally he settled for 600 rupees. Then he asked Jyoti what we do, and after hearing that we take care of orphans, he returned the money. Favor.

After we finally started going in the right direction; some five hours after we left our original place of departure, we were back at the same station. I quickly disembarked the train and ran to where I left my mobile phone to charge; it was still there - a miracle!

After all that, things became pretty much normal. We finally arrived in Dimapur and had great meetings at a great church.

I love what I do.
Mike

We’ll return to Sikkim on Tuesday. Thank you so much for all your prayers!

We would really appreciate your prayers during our travels. Please pray for the kids too.

Journeying for Jesus!
Mike

P.S. Many thanks to all of you who have been involved with our ministry; recently and historically. Together we are making a difference!

I’ve got to hand it to my bro-in-law Rupak. He’s the youth pastor up here, and he’s doing a great job. He has a great heart, and is consistently looking for ways to impact young people. He has just started something called: Hard Core Truths. It’s a game show type set-up that targets unbelievers and gives them an opportunity to discover some hard core truths from God’s Word.

One of the contestants, a local youth who doesn’t know Jesus, was asked this question, “What do you think God created first?” The possible answers were:

1. A pig
2. A human
3. Rice
4. Light

The young man named Kamal answered, “Rice“, and he had a great explanation of why he thought so. I was thinking…only a guy from India would say rice. The correct answer was explained from the bible.

Contrast the whole bribe scenario with the whole works mentality…

Joe sinner knows he’s a sinner, and thinks his “good works” will earn him a seat in heaven. As if the great judge of the universe will accept his bribe and turn His cheek to all of the other broken laws. I don’t think so. You can’t bribe God.

This is often times the illustration I try to draw up when talking with someone who thinks they can “earn their way” to heaven.  At the end, they’re faced with this reality: You will stand before God one day, and you will give an account for your life. You will be judged in perfect justice, and everything God considers to be sin must be punished…otherwise, God would be unjust. Now, you have two options…pay for your sin and accept the penalty yourself, which is eternal separation from God in a place called hell. Or accept God’s payment for you sin by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ upon the cross.

At the very least…it sure makes ‘em think. I was ble to use the “bribe scenario” one on my way home from Bagdogra yesterday…I had a great time there with about 30 laborers of the gospel that we’ve helped train - guys and gals that we’re networked with in this region.

God Bless!!!
Mike

It’s time to shine bright! It’s time for revival to sweep across the nations! Then, it won’t matter what lame liberal laws are passed…When the hearts of people are revived, they will desire righteousness. Politics isn’t the answer, and neither is a newly elected president, governor or senator. Jesus is the answer…period! That’s me on politics.

Position is nothing. Character is everything.

• The greatest position we could ever achieve is the one that our character takes us to.
  • That’s what gives us true spiritual authority…

On another note…I see a huge difference between personality promotion and character promotion. Many in this world experience promotion based upon personality, but character with the world is not an issue. In the Kingdom of God, we become great because of spiritual virtues, not because of soulish ones.

When I possess Christ like character, people will want to follow based on desire not compulsion. Carrying a title might require allegiance and people will follow because they have to, but possessing the right stuff inside will bring a truly spiritual dimension to the relationship.

• When I posses spiritual authority based on Christ like character; it doesn’t matter if I yell or not. It doesn’t matter how loud I am. Authority will rise up and flow from within.

• The wrong kind of character will eventually disqualify someone from their position.
  • So again, position is nothing…but character is everything!

The concept of community, and how it relates to our ministry network, is a big deal to me. I believe that it is vital for God’s people to be connected and for that connection to be strong. Later this week, I’ll be meeting up with 30-40 of the ones that I consider myself “in community” with. These guys and gals are serving Jesus on the frontlines of this society. Many of them are pictured here, with more details on each coming soon.

So what is the big deal? It’s all about the spiritual connection we share, which is God wrought. Do you have any thoughts on how to maximize a God connection, or how to recognize one?

These two words really mean the same thing, but as we see around the world, there is a radical opposition to what is considered “conversion” and the truth of transformation is missed. When someone surrenders their life to Christ, it’s not a conversion of religions but rather a transformation of character; it is what Jesus called the, “new birth” (John 3:5).
 

In India, this is still profoundly misunderstood. Several Indian states are enforcing anti-conversion laws, which target those who come to Christ. The law says it’s illegal to convert, but is it illegal to be transformed? It really doesn’t matter what the law books say when it comes to this issue; you cannot stop transformation through legislation.
 

Transformation lies at the heart of the gospel, and it will continue to sweep across the nations. Sharia law can’t stop it and neither can any other demonically driven law maker.
 

Jesus isn’t looking for converts; He’s looking for transformed disciples.